Tickets are now on sale for Kevin Mitchell’s historic world lightweight title clash against Michael Katsidis at West Ham United’s world famous Boleyn Ground on Saturday 15th May. ‘Hammer Time’ is set to be the sporting event of the summer as Mitchell aims to be crowned world champion at the ground where football legends Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst plied their trade.
Undefeated Mitchell faces his toughest test yet against the power-punching Australian who is well known in England from his thrilling fight against Graham Earl. A quality packed undercard includes the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship between Danny Williams and Sam Sexton; Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale challenges for the first title in his career – the WBA International Super-Middleweight Championship; unbeaten heavyweight star Derek Chisora; and Britain’s hottest young prospects Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders. Plus more fights to be added..
Tickets for ‘Hammer Time’, priced at £30, £40, £50, £80, £150, £200 & £250, are available from:
West Ham Ticket Hotline: 0871 222 2700*
Website: www.whufc.com
See Tickets Ticket Hotline: 0871 2200 260*
Website: www.seetickets.com
*Subject to booking fee.
Mitchell Aims To Hammer Katsidis
Kevin Mitchell today described his chance to fight for a world title at Upton Park as a dream come true – and says it will only be bettered by lifting the WBO lightweight crown against Michael Katsidis.
Mitchell, a life-long West Ham fan, will fight the power-punching Australian on May 15 as promoter Frank Warren kicks off the new decade in style.
It’s his biggest show since more than 50,000 packed the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, for Joe Calzaghe’s super-middleweight unification fight against Mikkel Kessler in 2007.
And he says that it will match some of the massive events of the 1990s featuring the likes of Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Frank Bruno.
For Mitchell, it will be an opportunity to perform at the stadium where many of his heroes plied their trade, including World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst.
“I grew up watching West Ham play and if I hadn’t been a boxer I would have been a footballer,” said unbeaten Mitchell.
“I think one of my proudest moments was being introduced to the fans down here before a game the other week and getting an amazing reception.
“But now I’m going to be fighting here and I still can’t quite believe it.
“The fans in the east end are very special people, and to get the opportunity to fight in front of them is a dream come true.
“Boxing and football are a way of life around here, and I think you are going to see an amazing event on May 15 with everyone turning out to see it.”
Warren added: “There is a long history of boxing in the east end stretching back to the days of Ted Kid Lewis.
“But Kevin has got the chance to do what none of the great east end fighters did, and that’s fighting for a world title at Upton Park.
“The response from all over London has been fantastic. We’ve waited a long time for a London fighter who can fill stadiums, and Kevin can be that man.
“If he beats Katsidis then you are going to see more big fights at West Ham. I can promise you that May 15 is going to be an atmospheric and historic occasion.”
On the undercard, Sam Sexton will challenge Danny Williams for the British heavyweight title, while fellow prospect Derek Chisora features in a 10 rounder.
2008 Olympic champion James DeGale challenges for his first title, the WBA Intercontinental super-middleweight belt, while Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders feature in eight rounders.
Tickets for ‘Hammer Time’, priced at £30, £40, £50, £80, £150, £200 & £250 are available from
West Ham Ticket Hotline: 0871 222 2700
Website: www.whufc.com
See Tickets Ticket Hotline: 0871 2200 260
Website: www.seetickets.com
Mitchell promises tear up in Katsidis bout
Dagenham Destroyer Kevin Mitchell has promised an old fashioned East End tear up when he faces Aussie powerhouse Michael Katsidis on May 15 in London. Mitchell, 25, will challenge the Australian for the Interim WBO World Lightweight title. And the fight could go on at Upton Park, home of Mitchell’s beloved West Ham.
Promoter Frank Warren is currently in negotiation with the venue, with the ExCeL Arena also under consideration.
“It would be a dream come true to fight at Upton Park,” said unbeaten Mitchell at a press conference to officially announce the fight today.
“The east end loves a nice little punch up and I’ll give them one when I fight Katsidis.
“He’s a great fighter but I’m confident I’ll knock him out. He better bring a good cutsman because I’m planning on busting him up real bad.
“It will be a proper tear up on the night, then we’ll have a good old knees up afterwards.”
Warren added: “This fight is going to be a lot bigger than people think.
“It will capture the imagination of the east end and we’ll get a massive crowd.
“Kevin’s a real east end boy and I know the people from down that way will come out and support him.”
Katsidis, who is hoping to get good support from London’s Greek and Australian communities, said he was looking forward to returning to London.
“I’ve got happy memories of fighting Graham Earl at Wembley,” said Katsidis.
“People booed me when I came into the right but our fight was so exciting they were cheering when I left.
“There’s so many Aussies in London that there could be more of us there than the Brits on the night.”
Mitchell and Katsidis also swapped insults after champion accused challenger of “running like a cat” against Breidis Prescott.
“I won’t run from you, I promise that,” said Mitchell. “We’ll see who runs on the night. I’ll land one on your chin and I’ll knock you out.”
Katsidis replied: “Your promoter says you’ve got a secret weapon – is it your mouth? If you couldn’t knock out Prescott how are you going to knock out me?
“You can keep on talking but I promise there I’ll be there on the night.”